LH366

Hi guys, I have kind of a stupid question but I feel like I keep seeing different answers. I know NPO is nothing by mouth, but I feel like sometimes it is not followed like that. I see some people say it's okay to give ice chips and some not. For example, last night I had a patient that was npo except meds, but kept asking for water. I just double checked with the MD that patient needed to be NPO and the MD made it seem like I can give him some water here and there. If that's the case, then shouldn't that be specified? I gave him a very small amount of water around 12am but none after that in case he had a procedure in the AM. What are your cases with NPO? I'm just worried I gave this patient some water when I shouldn't have. For reference, I work in the ER, so I usually send my patients up before they complain about being NPO LOL.

I work in a northern hospital in NJ and we're swamped. We have patients in the ER being held for days waiting for an ICU bed. Everyone is basically a hold in the ER. People in the hallways at all times. My hospital turned same day and a floor of offices into ICU. Lots of code blues and rapid responses being called for covid patients all night long.

Hi all! I guess I'm looking for some advice and also just an ear to listen. I work at a busy ER that has been crazy since this pandemic started. I'm still a newer nurse compared to others I guess, about 8 months. I just feel like when I started getting comfortable, this pandemic set in. Now, I have had to play ICU, tele, medsurg, and ER nurse all at once. It's all very overwhelming. For example, last night I had 5 ICU patients to care for by myself. Other nights I've had 8 patients, who are all very sick. I'm sure it's like this at other hospitals, but I'm just so stressed from it. I'm not used to balancing more of a floor routine. The ER was my first hospital job and I got used to that type of rhythm. Now I've been staying late at work just trying to chart on everything I did or trying to give out my morning meds because an emergency popped up. Sometimes I think maybe it's just me, that I'm not cut out for this work and I'm just not a good nurse. Any advice on how to make this situation any better? Any time management tips? Any advice on how not to feel like a total failure?

Hi all, This is my first post and I guess I want just want some advice from other nurses who understan the struggle! This is my first hospital job as a nurse. I am currently in the ER for about 9 months in now and maybe 5 months off orientation. I have so many mixed feelings about work. Sometimes, I get excited about all the new things I learn and I feel like I'm making progress. Then, there are other times where I just feel dumb or incompetent. For example, sometimes I double check orders with doctors and I feel like I annoy them and I should just know some of these things already. Sometimes, especially now since the winter season is hitting, I feel so incompetent like I cannot get anything done because there is so much to do. It doesn't help that sometimes we get slammed with patients at the same time. It makes me feel like maybe I'm just a bad ER nurse and am not capable of this. I also got into the bad habit of leaving charting for last, which let me tell you is a hard habit to break (any advice on that would be much appreciated!). Any advice from nurses would be helpful. I just want to know if what I'm feeling is normal at this point or maybe is a sign. Thanks!